when was meant

(being a kid)

I ate Ring Dings when they were wrapped in foil

I got tan at the beach when you used baby oil

My favorite after school meal was the big can of Beefaroni

The one Who was the Boss for me was 😍Samantha😍 fuhgedabout Tony

Car seats for kids meant sitting on the lap of your older cousin

Losing the game meant the Operation guy’s red nose was buzzing

The washing machine’s water emptied into one side of the two-tubbed sink

Parties at your house were filled with adults who’d smoke and drink

I slept in the top bunk head-to-toe with my brother

My older and younger sis did side-by-side in the other

Going outside meant a playground or a park

Coming home early meant way before it was dark

Mom used Mercurochrome for scrapes on our knees

Grandma used old words like parlor and dungarees

Board games were fun my favorite was Sorry

Technology to us was the VCR and Atari

I think back on memories made and all the things we did

I know that I loved living life and just being a kid.

Read more poetry by Ernio: i Watch | she says the words | wild for a while | The moment you fell off the bed